PART THREE
JOAN OF NEW YORK
X-X-X-X-X
Det. Kate Beckett enters the interview room and finds a surprisingly calm Denise Cobb waiting patiently.
"Good evening Miss Cobb, thank you for your forbearance. For the record, you have been read your rights and waived the presence of an attorney?"
"Yes, we might as well get this over with. I'll co-operate fully."
"Very wise Miss Cobb as we now have considerable evidence against you. The medical examiner moved this case to the front of the line and we now have the autopsy results. Your boyfriend Paul Oaklyn was killed by the crowbar as demonstrated by Ms. Girardi. Trace amounts of Paul's blood were found on the crowbar as well as a partial fingerprint that matches yours."
"I wiped it down with a rag, but I wasn't sure I got it completely clean. I had to get the lights back on right away so that Paul's friends would assume one of them had done it."
Beckett notes the dry monotone of Denise's voice, having witnessed this before in suspects that have given up any attempt to conceal the truth. Unfortunately the emotionless responses will open up a potential insanity plea.
"Denise, tell me what happened."
"It was just like what you saw in the re-enactment. I was behind Paul and saw the guys were about to start belting each other with the pool cues. I switched off the lights and grabbed the crowbar that was on the workbench. I figured Paul would duck and I swung the crowbar at where I guessed his head would be at. I couldn't really see him, but it worked. I then wiped down the crowbar with one of the oily rags that were also on the workbench. While I did, I felt with my foot the pool cue on the floor where Paul dropped it. I used it to hit Paul again before switching the lights back on."
"That explains why bits of splintered wood were also found near the fatal wound. But Denise, why did you do it? Paul was your boyfriend. Why did you suddenly turn on him?"
Denise looks away for a moment, remembering the details of that night. "I had only been going out with Paul for a couple of months, so we didn't know each other all that well. Last month when he got back from Maryland, he told me he had car trouble and had to take the train back. Paul said his friend in Arcadia, the one he went to see get married, was fixing the car and would be bringing it back as soon as his honeymoon was over. I had no reason to doubt Paul, so I accepted his story."
"What changed?"
"While they were playing pool and starting to drink heavy, Angelo asked Paul if he had his car back yet. Paul said it was back and all of the damage was repaired. No one would ever be able to prove it was involved in a hit and run. I listened to this appalled. Paul and the others just assumed I would go along and keep my mouth shut about what they did."
"Did they go into details about the crime in Arcadia?"
"A little. All three of them were drunk after leaving the bachelor party, and Paul was driving. He hit that woman, killing her. The three guys were in a panic. Paul came up with the idea of coming forth as a witness while Frank and Angelo got the car to their friend's house where they hid it in his garage. I was disgusted by what I heard."
"I can understand that, but…why did you kill Paul?"
For the first time tears appear in Denise's eyes. "Three years ago my grandmother was run down by a hit and run driver, who was never caught. And no, I don't think it was Paul who killed my grandma, but it was someone just like him. I…had to punish him. Someone needed to pay for those crimes."
Denise begins sobbing uncontrollably and Beckett allows her the time to get it all out before offering her comfort as well as tissues and a glass of water.
"Denise, can you write this all out for me, and include the part where Angelo and his cousin Frank admit their part in the hit and run in Arcadia? I'm sure Ms. Girardi will appreciate your testimony when she goes after the cousins as co-conspirators."
"I'll glad testify against those two. Uh, the Girardi woman, is she okay?"
"She was taken to the hospital and I'm still waiting to hear about her condition…"
X-X-X-X-X
"Joan, time to wake up now."
Joan Girardi moans slightly as she lifts from her semi-conscious state. She recognizes the familiar voice of the deity version she thinks of as 'Doctor God', as always finding his Nigerian accent charming. Joan opens her eyes and blinks a couple of time due to the sudden light in the hospital room.
"My baby?"
"Your son is fine."
Joan breathes an enormous sigh of relief. "What happened?"
"You experienced Braxton Hicks contractions, which led to great anxiety and hyperventilation."
"So false labor and a panic attack that caused me to faint. Are we going to be okay?"
"Yes Joan, but you have been pushing yourself. You need to rest and remain calm during the remainder of your pregnancy."
"Easier said than done when I still don't know what danger Alexis and her family are in. Why did you make me aware of the danger without filling me in on what's going on?"
"Your awareness came through a spiritual dream, which is a gift you and your mother share, but as you well know, this was not an official assignment."
"Because no one was praying for the Castle family and assignments come out of your response to faith. Okay, consider it official. I'm asking, in faith, for your help to keep the Castle family safe."
Doctor God smiles. "A little pro forma, but acceptable. Trust your training Joan, use the abilities I have given you and things will work out for the better. Oh, and don't be reluctant to ask for help."
With a friendly nod and a backhand wave, Doctor God leaves Joan's room. He finds an anxious Rick Castle pacing in the corridor...
"Doctor, is Joan okay?"
"You would be Mr. Castle?"
"Yes, sorry. I'm Richard Castle and Joan is staying at my home while she is in the city. How is she doing?"
"Better, it was false labor, but she will need rest and monitoring. Ms. Girardi is anxious to leave the hospital, if your family is able to handle her needs?"
"Of course. We'll do whatever it takes." Castle replies, feeling guilty about having allowed Joan to visit a crime scene in her condition.
"Then I will arrange for her release. She should be ready to go in about an hour."
"Thank you, Doctor."
As Doctor God walks away Castle breathes a sigh of relief, but it is short lived as he sees Alexis approaching with a handsome young man in tow. A wary sense of protectiveness sweeps through Castle as he looks over the approaching English nobleman. 'So, this is the lord who is trying to drag my prescious little girl into his bed!' No, he mustn't think like that. Alexis is 18, legally an adult and he has to start accepting her choices...
"Dad, I got your text message. How is Joan?"
"Much better than when we brought her here by ambulance. It turns out it was false labor, but we are going to have to watch her carefully. I was about to go in, but..."
"Oh, I guess it is time for the two of you to meet."
Lord Redfield produces a charming smile as he holds out his hand. "William Grayman. A pleasure to meet you Mr. Castle, although I wish it was under better circumstances."
Castle shakes the outstretched hand while taking an instant dislike for the man. Castle reminds himself he has to step away from...what was it Joan called it? Oh yeah, 'protective daddy mode'. "Glad to finally meet you, Lord Redfield. From what my mother tells me, you and Alexis have hit it off famously. I guess that's why I've barely seen her since she got back from Europe."
"Dad..." Alexis says with a little warning tone in her voice.
Redfield responds, "It's true sir, I am besotted by your daughter's beauty, both outwardly and inwardly. She is a rare and prescious jewel."
Alexis blushes but smiles as she places her hand into the crook of Redfield's arm. Castle notes the adoring look his daughter gives the man and realizes he has to adjust his attitude if he doesn't want to begin a rift between himself and Alexis.
"We certainly agree on Alexis' worth."
"Dad, can we go in to see Joan now?"
"Of course. Lord Redfield, will you join us?"
"Delighted, and please call me William." Redfield says with another smile that is as false as all of his others. He checks this off as another victory for himself, realizing that Rick Castle, the famed crime novelist, will deny his natural suspicions and make no protests over this relationship with his daughter. The fool had just signed his own death warrant.
X-X-X-X-X
"Joan, are you listening?"
"Oh, sorry Alexis but the medication they gave me to help me relax is making me a bit sleepy. I'm drifting in and out."
"Perhaps I should go so you can rest? You don't need to hear me rattle on about how excited I am to be voting for the first time."
"No, no...uh, I find your presence comforting. Besides, it's much to early to sleep - I haven't had my dinner yet, and I am eating for two. Okay?"
"Certainly, I'll stay with you."
They exchange smiles as Joan regrets her need to lie. In fact she is feeling fine and has no need to have anyone watching over her as she rests in the Castle's guest room. It was meeting Lord Redfield that caused Joan to plead for Alexis' help this evening as her 'nerves settled'. Joan can easily feel the concern Alexis has for her as kindness exudes from her innocent heart, and Joan regrets the need to deceive her young friend for her own sake. In Joan's long career as an instrument of God she has met a lot of evil people, ranging from the demon possessed to those who are joyously mean just because they can get away with it. But meeting William Grayman made Joan shudder with dismay as she read how much Alexis was coming under his influence. Lord Redfield is a full blown sociopath who views all others as mere chess pieces on his board of life. Spiritually he reeks of murder, and Joan now understands the risk to the Castle family. She easily read that this was the night Alexis was going to join Redfield in his bed, and so this delaying tactic. The thought of an innocent like Alexis being that close to such a monster causes Joan to shudder again...
"Joan, are you cold? Can I get you a blanket?"
"Yes, thank you."
As Alexis goes to the closet for the blanket, Joan knows the teenager's heart is focused on her English 'boyfriend', and the growing yearning she has to be close to him. In the hospital, when Joan asked Alexis to remain with her during the night, she hesitated a moment as she turned to 'William'. Redfield, knowing how to play the game, responded: 'Of course my dear, you must see to your friend. We can be togther at dinner anytime'. Alexis smiled and her affection for Redfield grew in that moment. From Joan's perspective, even though Redfield's face didn't register a flicker of change, his thoughts turned violent. It is only Redfield's assumption that the visitor from Arcadia will soon be gone that is preventing an insane murder plot from forming in the man's mind.
"Joan, are you really sure you don't want us to contact your husband or your family?" Alexis asks as she spreads out the blanket.
"Yes, I don't want to worry them needlessly. I have my appointment with the specialist tomorrow, and when he gives me a clean bill of health, I can take the train back to Arcadia the next day - flying in my condition is not a good idea. I don't really know New York, but I suppose a cab driver can find the doctor's office..."
"Oh, I'll take you."
"And...I have to visit Detective Beckett to get updated on my hit and run case?"
"Uh sure, that too." Alexis sighs as she struggles with her desire to help a friend against her greater desire to be alone and intimate with William.
"Sorry to be such a bother. I guess I'm throwing a monkey wrench into your romance with Lord Redfield. Is it getting...serious?"
Alexis blushes but nods. "I've never met someone like William before. He's sophisticated but kind. He's very masculine, but romantic and...patient. And of course, he is always so charming."
Joan lightly chuckles. "That reminds me of a time when I briefly dated a guy at Arcadia High that everyone said was the most charming guy in school. My mother warned me you always have to be careful of the ones who seem too charming. Turned out she was right, the jerk stole my Dad's police badge the first time he came to my house."
Alexis frowns. "Joan, are you trying to tell me something?"
Joan realizes she is about to make a mistake. Alexis is a brillant girl, but she is too far into her relationship with Redfield to listen to any unsubstantiated charges.
"I was just relating one of those stories that was painful at the time but seems sort of silly when you look back on it."
Alexis smiles again. "Oh. It's just that even though he is trying to hide it, I can tell Dad doesn't like William and for a moment...?"
"Me? Hey, I only met him the once, and it's normal for fathers to be wary of their daughter's suitors. But like you said, he's kind and sophisticated and most of all, patient. Patient is good. With a patient guy there's no need to...rush the relationship."
Alexis blushes deeply. "But what if you don't want patience? I'm 18, almost 19 and all of my friends...I'm the last...you know."
"I know all too well. I was nearly twenty before my first time, but I am so glad I waited for the right guy. We fell in love, became engaged..."
"So your first time was with your husband?"
This time Joan blushes. "Uh, no. But he was a wonderful man that I loved very much."
"But it didn't work out?"
"He...died."
"I'm sorry."
"Me too, and even though it ended badly, I look back with no regrets about who I shared my first time with. It really is so much better when you are in love."
Alexis nods, looking pensive. "Um, I'll go check on your dinner tray. Be right back."
Alexis leaves the room and Joan can tell she made a little headway in delaying this disastrous romance, but despite being incapable of any true, tender emotions, William Grayman is an experienced seducer. It is only a matter of time before... Joan grits her teeth, unable to stand the thought of Alexis being used so coldly. She needs proof of Redfield's true nature, but she is so limited in her current condition. Well, God did say she could ask for help. Joan checks her phone for the local number of a dear old friend from high school, one of the few people who know her secret. Good ol' Friedman, a nerd genius in school and now one of the best computer hackers in the world. Let's see what dirt can be dug up on 'his lordship' before the man realizes he is being investigated and lashes back...
To Be Continued.
Please review.
(The details of Joan's post TV show years come from my own series of JoA stories.)